Two Greenbrier Co. sites named "Endangered Properties"

LEWISBURG, W. Va (WVVA)-- Groups work to save pieces of local history that they say could disappear forever if they aren't restored.

Two sites in Greenbrier County were named "Endangered Properties" by the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia.

The first is known as the "Westly" style of Sears Kit Home.

Sears Kit Homes were popular in the 1900's, said Carol Olson with the Lewisburg Historic Landmarks Commission. The one they are trying to save in Lewisburg is located on North Court Street next to the county courthouse.

Built around 1925, it is county-owned and in a state of disrepair, said Olson. But the county is working with the Lewisburg Historic Landmarks Commission to get it back in tip-top condition.

"This home is an important part of history," said Olson. "Our concern is that without re-use and without some careful upkeep,
that this slice of history will be lost to this area."

Skip Deegans was instrumental in getting the home on the 2013 "Endangered Properties" list. He said that step not only secures consultants and the possibility of more funding for the restoration project, but it also gets the word out.

"It raises the level of awareness of the property and makes people focus on the fact that this is a property that if we don't do something soon, we may lose it," he said.

The second property added to the list is the Blue Sulphur Springs Pavilion in Blue Sulphur Springs, an unincorporated area near Alderson.

The Greenbrier Historical Society is working on a way to preserve the pavilion, once part of a resort in the area. The resort also served as a hospital for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, but then Union soldiers burned it down. All that remains is the pavilion.

The land where it sits is privately-owned, but Karen Lobban, President of the Greenbrier County Commission, said the owner is donating part of that land to the historical society. They plan to make it into a park or a public area where the community can also enjoy the space when it is completed.

"It will be a long process, but it'll happen," Lobban said.

Over time, these groups hope to get the properties back to prime condition.

OAK HILL, W.Va. (WVVA) It's no secret that staring at the sun is a bad idea, but it is particularly bad during an eclipse, when on Monday millions of people across the U.S. will be resisting that temptation to look up.

OAK HILL, W.Va. (WVVA) It's no secret that staring at the sun is a bad idea, but it is particularly bad during an eclipse, when on Monday millions of people across the U.S. will be resisting that temptation to look up.

BECKLEY, W.Va. (WVVA) In a letter sent out to parents on Wednesday, Raleigh County Superintendent David Price said the schools will be taking extra steps on Monday to ensure student safety during the eclipse.

BECKLEY, W.Va. (WVVA) In a letter sent out to parents on Wednesday, Raleigh County Superintendent David Price said the schools will be taking extra steps on Monday to ensure student safety during the eclipse.

This all comes on the heels of Anthem's announcement that they will be reducing the health plans they offer to Virginians in 2018. So what's with the uncertainty, and how does this impact residents of Tazewell County?

This all comes on the heels of Anthem's announcement that they will be reducing the health plans they offer to Virginians in 2018. So what's with the uncertainty, and how does this impact residents of Tazewell County?